After the tragic events in Japan, many countries are questioning their reliance on nuclear power. And among those countries is Europe's leading economy, Germany, which has recently vowed to close its 10 active nuclear plants by 2022.

Currently around 25 percent of the country's energy comes from nuclear power. After the events in Japan seven reactors were taken offline, and with the new plan in place they will remain offline permanently. That leaves 10 functioning reactors, which will be gradually phased out over the next decade.

Much of the difference is expected to be made up by renewable sources, including wind, solar, and hydroelectric power. At present these types of energy make up 17 percent of Germany's overall energy production, but this is expected to expand to around 50 percent over the coming years.